Top shot blocker looking hard at Auburn

AUBURN, Ala. | Graduate transfer LaRon Smith was in Auburn on an official visit this weekend, and the former Bethune Cookman forward is now considering returning later this month to enroll.

Smith, who was the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year last season, arrived in Auburn Friday and left Sunday.

“Everything went really good,” Smith said. “I got a good feel for the campus, the coaches and the players. It was a very productive visit.”

Smith toured the campus, met with the Auburn coaches and played against the players in an open gym session.

“The players are very competitive,” Smith said. “I played against Horace (Spencer) and he has high energy. The coaches are real cool guys. I learned a lot about them in the week I did research. I didn’t know Coach Chuck (Person) was ‘The Rifleman,’ and that’s good to know. If I go to Auburn, I know he can help develop my game to look like his.”

Smith, who is listed at 6-foot-8 and 215 pounds, isn’t in a hurry to decide where he’ll play his final year of eligibility. He’s considering Auburn, Kansas State, Nevada, Memphis, Charlotte-Wilmington and Arkansas.

“I graduate next Saturday, but I don’t plan on making a decision until I’m ready,” Smith said. “I want to get a good feel for everybody and make the right choice this time. I want to make sure I make the right choice.”

Smith’s choice could be Auburn after this weekend.

“Auburn stands pretty high,” Smith said. “I really liked it at Auburn and liked the feeling at Auburn.”

Smith, who played his first two years at Georgia State before transferring to Bethune Cookman, earned Defensive Player of the Year honors after finishing with 96 blocks, 94 of which came during the regular season. He averaged 3.0 blocks, 6.9 rebounds and 7.2 points per game in 2015-16.